TIA correspondent
New Delhi: The central government has found that illegal mining is basically a problem of governance.
Union Minister for Mines BK Handique during reply in Rajya Sabha the other day observed that because the state governments are not able to prevent and stop illegal mining, they should not ban the entire legal trade.
During the reply, members interrupted and pointed out that illegal mining is a governance problem. But, the thing is that the price difference is so high in the international market that the iron ore hitch is being lifted at a cost of Rs 400 from Indian soil is sold at Rs 5000 in international market.
That itself is a big incentive for illegal mining. So, there is linkage of it, said Members.
On a question of initiating CBI inquiry, Mr Handique assured the members that “I will definitely respond to that”.
Senior BJP’s Rajya Sabha member, Rudra Naryan Pani during the discussion also drawn the attention of Union Minister for Mines BK Hanique reported statement made on March 20 in the state capital Bhubneswar for CBI probe into the illegal mining in the state.
